Showing posts with label Andriy Pyatov. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andriy Pyatov. Show all posts

Sunday, 4 October 2015

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Preview


Gareth Bale returns to Real Madrid's squad for Sunday's La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid.

The 26-year-old has missed Real's past three games after injuring a calf during their Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on 15 September.

Real defender Sergio Ramos is also fit to play at the Vicente Calderon after recovering from a shoulder injury.

"The two have trained and will be in the squad. They have been cleared to play," said Real coach Rafael Benitez.

"Match-fitness is another thing and if they start or not we will decide. Even at less than 100% they are two very useful players for us."

Benitez's side, who will be without Colombia striker James Rodriguez, lead Atletico by two points after the first six games of the season.

Real have not won a Madrid league derby for two seasons and were thrashed 4-0 at the Calderon in February.

The game gives Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to indisputably overtake Raul's all-time record of 323 goals for Real.

Ronaldo officially drew level with Raul's total with two goals in Real's 2-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League, though the club have already honoured him.

Atletico will be without midfielder Koke, who has a hamstring injury.

They head into the game after back-to-back defeats by Villarreal and Benfica, but coach Diego Simeone is not concerned.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me at all what is happening to us. We have a lot of young players in the team and the first 10 games were going to be very difficult."



Wednesday, 16 September 2015

Bale Injury Worries Wales


Gareth Bale limped off during Real Madrid's win over Shakhtar Donetsk last night with a suspected calf injury sparking fears he could miss Wales' crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers next month.

The 26-year-old forward was replaced by Mateo Kovacic after just 32 minutes having gone down holding his calf a couple of minutes earlier.

Bale was one of three Madrid players to suffer injuries in the Champions League clash at the Bernabeu with defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane also picking up knocks as Madrid kicked off with a comfortable win.

However, manager Rafa Benitez admitted it is the injury to Bale that is most concerning.

"Obviously we have to wait," he said of the injured trio. "Two of them are kicks or knocks so we have to wait a little bit.

"Gareth is the only one I am a little bit more negative about in terms of the time so we have to wait, see the doctor and see what happens."

The injury casts doubt over whether the former Spurs man will be available for selection for Chris Coleman's Wales squad as they attempt to qualify for a first major tournament since 1958.

Wales need just one more point to reach Euro 2016 and face Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 10 before hosting Andorra three days later.

Bale himself is keeping his fingers crossed that he will not face a spell out of action, taking to social media to post on Twitter: "Great win at home to kick off our #UCL campaign, gutted to go off but hopefully nothing too serious."